Prototype information

Articles Similar to the MR's Tar Branch Jan-April 2018

All:

I really liked the Tar Branch series because it closely followed the prototype and included plenty of photos of the 1950's era actual trackage and businesses served.  And it was very compact.  While there are tons of imagined small switching track plans, so many, to me at least, loose the flavor of the real thing.

I'm a little bit stumped on how to track down published articles of similar actual small town switching with plenty of photos like the Tar Branch series.

Local Freight Scheduling

Another question for you real world railroaders. Given a siding serving two or more industries such that the local freight might have to pull cars from the nearest or first on the siding to serve the furthest or last on that same siding. Also realizing that freight trains didn't run on tight schedules, my question is: How was/is the movement of the cars on the siding coordinated? Obviously the cars closest to the siding turnout have to be unpopulated and secured so they can be moved then the engine arrives to serve the industries further down.

Michael T.'s picture

Caboose marker lamp questions

I haven't modeled cabooses (cabeese?) in years because while in N-scale my layout was too modern for them and now I'm just getting around to it in HO. I've acquired three different MDC Roundhouse old time caboose kits off E-bay now and I'm wondering about marker lamps. I love these old kits with a the real wire grab iron and railing bits in them, I wish they still made them.

Acme Markets trailers

For many years Acme Markets in the Philadelphia area used to get their meat products from the Mid West in refrigerated 40' trailers . The trailers were carried head out on the PRR TT-2 EB and remained on the RR through PC and early Conrail. The trailers had the Acme markets logo on them. Micro Scale now offers the decals but I can't find any pictures of the location of the reefer unit. Was it a nose or belly mount ? Also I believe they had a curb side door. Thanks for any help. ----- Ken 

OSCR's picture

GMTX GP38-2 model revisited

I want to model the GMTX GP38-2's that CN are using in abundance.

I ordered the Athearn GMTX GP15.

I need to unfortunately take the knife to the back end roof and add two fans to simulate the GP38-2. Anyone know what manufacturer has the fans? Also any other details to add to make the model more authentic?

cheers,

Brad

Dissimilar Consists

Is it common for the real thing to consist normally aspirated diesels with turbocharged diesels?

I expect that these days the issue does not come up much. Maybe with smaller railroads with a mix of power or in yard work for the majors, but I am working on speed matching my locomotives and tried some turbo/non-turbo combos. It made me wonder if this was easy for the prototype or if special arrangements or settings had to be made with the engines given the possible horsepower spread. 

The first side dump waste railroad cars were made of wood

We have some great pictures of the side dump waste cars used when they were running trains.

Limited Modeler: 36' Wood boxcars

lineswestfan's picture

Did the prototype mark clearance points?

Did the prototype railroads back in the 20's mark clearance points on sidings or spurs? 


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